Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has launched a skills development programme for cargo handling staff at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB). Under the directive of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), BIAL in collaboration with its cargo partner Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore Pvt Ltd. (MABB), introduced this initiative with an aim to enhance skill sets for air cargo staff providing a learning platform to develop sound knowledge of the air cargo industry.
The programme was attended by representatives across the cargo value-chain including airlines, trade cargo handling agencies, ground handlers and officials from other departments. The one-day training programme highlighted the development of a strong cargo community, emphasising key aspects like economic growth of the community and global recognition of the industry amongst others.
In yet another development in the cargo business, Bengaluru Customs have now waived off the Cargo Customs Service Provider (CCSP) charges to cargo custodians (MABB and AISATS) at KIAB, a first for this airport since it began cargo operations in 2008. This charge was a cost recovery charge for the provision of Customs’ facilities at the air cargo terminals. This waiver will give the cargo operators a competitive pricing advantage that will boost the cargo and courier business at KIAB. This reduction was effective from 1 April 2016.
BIAL said it is committed to creating an ecosystem that supports and propels the growth of not just Karnataka, but the entire South Indian region in the global cargo supply chain. To sustain this growth in the long term, it continues to enhance and build on its world-class infrastructure, standards, best practices and introduce initiatives to ensure that it consistently raises the bar in easing the movement of goods and products to and from South India.
In FY 15-16 KIAB handled 291,920 tonnes of cargo and has become one of the top cargo hubs in the country. With a clear objective of developing KIAB as the ‘South Indian Cargo Gateway to Global Economies’, BIAL continues to make efforts to strengthen its cargo operations.
